Mikhaeel has not been seen since his mother put him to bed on Wednesday night (AP Photo / Police Scotland)

Mikaeel Kular may have gone missing from his Edinburgh home after a criminal act, police have said.

While the three-year-old may left his of his own accord after being put to bed on Wednesday night, a senior officer conceded there may be a more sinister reason for his disappearance.

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, of Police Scotland, said it is ‘entirely possible that Mikaeel has become subject of a criminal act and our investigation has been established as a twin track to ensure that eventuality is being, and will be, fully explored’.

Earlier, police child matching the description had been seen in Edinburgh though later they said this has yet to be confirmed.

Members of the public help police with the search for the youngster (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

The boy’s mother has been named locally as Rosdeep Kular, 33.

She is said to be getting support from police, her family and friends, but is ‘very distraught’.

Hundreds of police officers are involved in the searches today and specialist search teams, mounted officers, dogs, other emergency services and local organisations are also involved in the investigation.

Mikaeel’s mother put him to bed at around 9pm on Wednesday only to find his room empty when she checked at about 7.15am the following morning.